I really comtemplated giving this 5 stars, but I think 4.5 is what I'm settling on. I thought the story, although reminiscent of this whole werewolf/sI really comtemplated giving this 5 stars, but I think 4.5 is what I'm settling on. I thought the story, although reminiscent of this whole werewolf/supernatural trend, was very well written, paced, and the characterizations were excellent. It kept my interest the whole way through, and it kept me guessing. Grace Divine is a pastor's daughter who three years earlier lost a "brother". Daniel was taken in as a son and brother to the Divine household because his father was violent and because he had always been Grace, and her brother Jude's, best friend. But one night Jude comes back covered in blood and Daniel is gone. Grace is left with no answers and no one seems to want to give her any even after Daniel mysteriously returns. There is love, action, history, legend, and even religion in the story. I liked how everything was woven together and there was a door left open at the end for a follow up book. I enjoyed this book much more than Shiver and I think fans of other vampire/werewolf/fairy books will also enjoy this one....more

This is my first Jackson Pearce read and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Sweetly is based on Hansel and Gretel but with werewolves mixed in asThis is my first Jackson Pearce read and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Sweetly is based on Hansel and Gretel but with werewolves mixed in as well as a mysterious chocolatier and missing girls. The story begins with Ansel and Gretchen when they are children, but the main story is what happens when they leave their hometown to escape to the coast. Before making it that far though they stumble upon a sleepy old town where the locals are either in love or completely against one infamous Sophia Kelly. Sophia is around their age and she lives near the forest where she runs her candy shop. From the point of view of Gretchen we see how at first her and Ansel are "sweet talked" into staying with Sophia for more than the initial night that it would take to get their car fixed. Sure enough when one day turns into one week, Gretchen knows that they are there to stay. But something about Sophia irks her, even though she also really likes her and is happy to finally have a friendly female companion. She is also haunted by certain memories of her past that involve missing siblings. Lots of young girls have also gone missing after they have attended the annual chocolate festival that Sophia hosts. Despite the blame and ire that Sophia endures, she insists on continuing with the festival. Gretchen knows that she's hiding something and she intends to find out with the help of Samuel (another local that despises Sophia). Gretchen is also determined to fight the werewolves that play a role in the tragedy that tainted her and Ansel's childhood. The book was both mysterious and kind of creepy. I read an ARC of it, so maybe some things will get cleaned up, because I did find some portions that were hard to follow and some things that were a bit contrived. Overall though, I really enjoyed this imaginative re-telling (and it also made me crave some chocolate too!)....more